Reminder! Estuary Grant Applications Due August 7
$1 million in competitive grant funding is available through two Request for Applications (RFAs): Local Stewardship Planning and River Education. This funding will help communities in the Hudson River estuary watershed improve climate resilience, advance stewardship of natural resources, and enhance environmental education. These grants are funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program.
Eligible projects in the Local Stewardship Planning RFA include conservation and inventory projects, such as natural resources inventories (NRIs), conservation overlay zones, and connectivity plans. Approximately $700,000 is available in this RFA with a minimum award amount of $10,500 and maximum award amount of $75,000. The recipient must provide a match of at least 15%.
For eligibility requirements, application guidelines, a full list of project types, and recorded informational webinars, please visit DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Grants and Funding Program website. Applications are due on Aug. 7, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. and must be submitted through the NYS Statewide Financial System (SFS) Grants Management System
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Tips for Applicants Applying for Local Stewardship Planning and River Education Grants
Preparing the Bid (Application)
- Start EARLY – Application deadline is August 7, 2025 at 3 p.m.
- Submit the application early: at least two business days before the deadline
- Read the RFA carefully. Know requirements and how the application will be evaluated and scored
- Apply through the State Financial System (SFS)
Budget: Eligible and Ineligible Costs
- Match: At least 15% in-kind or from non-State sources
- Administrative salaries up to 10% of the grant request may be included in the budget. Additionally, administrative salaries are an eligible match expense.
- Budgets must be itemized in SFS.
Work Plan Format:
- Goal or Objective
- Step or Action (task(s) for each objective)
- Milestone or Deliverable (for each task)
What Reviewers Look For:
- Is the project eligible?
- Is the Work Plan and timeline feasible?
- Are any permissions needed for the project? (e.g., landowner permissions, permits)
- Is the budget reasonable and cost effective?
- Does the proposed match meet the requirement?
Grant information webinars and lists of previous grant awards are available on DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Grants Program and Funding Opportunities website. For general grant questions, contact Susan Pepe, Grants Coordinator, HREPgrants@dec.ny.gov.
River Education grants have supported environmental education programs at the Science Barge in Yonkers, New York.